Special Events

The Science of Weakness: A Lenten Journey with St. Therese of Lisieux

This three-day lenten retreat, which will be held March 12-14, 2021 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, will look behind the gossamer veils that too often hide the truth about the Little Flower of Lisieux and reveal fascinating details about her life, her loves, and the weaknesses that spawned her Little Way of Spiritual Childhood.  Only by discovering her “hidden face” can devotees fully appreciate the teachings of her Little Way and learn how to turn their own weaknesses into strengths.

Retreat master, Susan Brinkmann, OCDS, will present five conferences during the course of the retreat:

Friday evening, March 12

Marie-Francois Therese Martin: A Study in Weakness. This lecture will center upon little-known facts about the life of Therese and how her unusual upbringing shaped her view of the world and the faith.

Saturday, March 13

Theresian Humility: Finding Strength in Weakness. This conference explores the Little Way was formed out of the weaknesses of Therese. Through her acquisition of true humility and growth in poverty of spirit, Therese teaches us how to confront, accept, and even love our weaknesses, so that we can allow the grace of God to transform them into strengths.

Theresian Mortification: Suffering for Love. This conference looks at how Therese’s endearing habit of “scattering flowers” of little mortifications performed with great love can help us to turn our everyday suffering into a powerful force for spiritual growth.

Theresian Confidence: Taking Jesus by His Heart. This conference celebrates the most cherished hallmark of the Little Flower of Lisieux – her indomitable confidence in God – all of which sprang from her reliance on the virtue of hope.

Sunday, March 14

Theresian Surrender: Abandonment to God. In this conference we study Therese’s love for the present moment where she lived in the constant company of God and found all of the grace she needed to confront the challenges of the day. Retreatants will learn to do the same and discover a thoroughly Catholic form of “mindfulness” that will lead them closer to God.

St Mary of Providence Center is set on the beautiful grounds of the estate of Joseph Potts, a descendent of the iron magnate, John Potts. All meals will be served in the exquisitely restored Potts mansion. Retreatants will be housed in the Dalton House where single and double occupancy rooms are available. A Saturday Vigil Mass will be offered along with Confessions.

COVID-19 safety measures will be followed throughout this retreat.

Click here to register for a single room ($255)

Click here to register for a double room ($225)